The new iPhone is expected to be released in late June.  Guess what it might have?  GPS!  That’s right, finally a phone with everything.  Email, pictures, music, Internet, and a GPS system.  This news was recently leaked that a third party software, Broadcom, will be including an internal GPS chip inside of the new iPhone.

If GPS is part of the new iPhone, Garmen among other popular GPS products will certainly lose sales.  GPS units have become smaller over time versus their once clunky interface.  However, consumers would rather just have, and finally, an all-in-one phone that can do it all along with finding your way around town.

Broadcom, the manufacturer for iPhone’s GPS chip, has produced many internal wireless and LAN cards for Windows and Mac computers.  They have been trusty source for Internet internal modules as well as Bluetooth chips.  They would serve as a trustworthy source for GPS chips in the iPhones.

No formal press release has been made for the GPS chips as we are surely anxiously waiting.

There are many types of software to prevent pop-ups.  But, how do you battle pop-ups once they are on your screen? 

The best way to close the pop-up windows is to left-click on the top-right “x” or close command of the pop-up.  Make sure to not click anything within the window or you’re possibly going to get more pop-ups or malicious information stored in your computer.  By going through any other method to close the pop-up, such as going through an “unsubscribe” list could be worse for you since that will flag the pop-up instigator that your e-mail address is real, and then he may pop-up you to death!

Remember, next time you get a pop-up, just click the top-right “x” or close function.

Windows is in the works of creating a touch screen for its operating system, Windows 7.  Call it keeping up with the Jones’, or in this case, with the Apples.  This may be looked at as a direct response to Apple’s iPods that have a touch interface.

This Windows touch interface will become handy for picture manipulation.  You’ll be able to easily organize and e-mail your pictures.  Also, clicking on web pages to navigate to videos and news will be a natural feeling versus using your mouse.

This new interface is slated for release in 2009.  Whether this will have an edge on Apple remains to be seen.  What worries us is that now we have computers users acting click happy with a mouse, leading to excessive pop-ups.  With touch technology, “road rage” users may provoke many pop-ups and viruses by touching, or hitting, the wrong sites.

Do you feel like you have too many programs from starting up?  If your Windows startup is very slow, chances are you have unnecessary progams starting up.  The most important programs to have when starting up are anti-virus programs, anti-spyware programs, manufacturer-related software, and Internet utilities.  Other software, such as, iTunes, RealPlayer, printer software, Weather applications, etc. are good programs to have, but don’t need to waste precious startup time.

Here’s how you can stop programs from starting up within Windows XP and Vista:

1. Go to start->run and type in “msconfig”
2. Click on “Startup” tab
3. Uncheck any programs that don’t need to startup
4. Restart your computer
5. You’ll have a pop-up after starting up.  You can tell it to not pop up again.

Please note that removing these programs will not remove the applications.  They will still be in your computer, but just won’t bog your system down at startup.  This is a good way to speed up your computer and avoid any latency.

A computer diagnostic is important in finding out the problem of a computer.  If a computer needs repair because of a blue screen error or startup issue, a diagnostic will be able to determine what will fix the computer.  If you need a computer repair, you should ask the technology repair shop what the diagnostic or cause and fix of the repair is.  Along with the why and what needs to be done should be the cost of the repair.

In sum, the diagnostic will relay the fix, possibly the cause, and the cost of the repair.  We say possibly the cause because sometimes it cannot be determined what caused the problem.  Diagnosing the computer is possible by trial and error, swapping out parts, and utilties and software tools.  Some computer shops will provide a free diagnostic which is very helpful since you can determine if it is sensible to repair your computer.

Are your eyes straining in front of the computer?  It is possible you are not getting the most out of your computer monitor.   You may adjust the resolution too enhance the sharpness of the icons and pictures.  Keep in mind that the clearer the picture, the smaller the icons and website viewing will be.  In contrast, the fuzzier the picture or resolution, the larger the icons will be.

How do you adjust your computer monitor?

For Windows users, just right-click on your desktop and click on “Properties” and then “Appearance.”  Mac users may open the system preferences panel and select “Monitor.”
Once you change the resolution settings, check out your favorite programs to make sure you like the view. 

On another note, if you feel like your monitor’s settings or picture has grown worse over time, you might need a computer technician to further assist to get you back on track.

The time has come where you can start downloading NetFlix movies directly to your TV.  No more waiting for the NetFlix movies to arrive at your doorstep.  You don’t even need a Windows or Mac computer.  All you need now is a good cable or DSL Internet connection, and you’ll be able to start downloading movies right away. 

For $100, Roku is a cheap way to download movies.  Here’s the downside - the movie selection is limited and the resolution is not of High Definition quality.  Apple TV and Vudu are competitors that have better picture quality.

What do you do if you have to reinstall your HP printer, but you can’t find the installation CD that came with it?  Don’t worry - you can go on the HP website and download the driver, or printer software, that came along with it.  You can do this by going to the HP site and then entering your HP model.  Then, you’ll have to select your operating system to locate the specific driver.

Also, if you’re using Vista or XP, you might be lucky enough where Windows will already have the correct print driver.  Whether going to the HP site or Windows having the software, you don’t have to worry about having your original printer CD.

We are a very mobile society.   Many people who are consultants might need to load a quick application on a client’s computer.  Or if you’re back and forth with your home and work laptop, you might need to have an accessible program.  Also, if you travel a lot and use a public computer, you’ll need a way to run your everyday programs.

The easiest way to take programs on the go with you is to load them on a flash drive.  You’ll want to load a free set of programs called PortableApps.  PortableApps allows you to run the needed programs from your flash drive, external hard drive, or iPod without installing them on the computer you’re using.

PortableApps comes with a full free suite of programs, ranging from anti-virus, Office programs, to backing up.  This is a good way to be cost effective while being mobile.  Also, you can easily save all your files to your USB when using the programs.  This way, you keep your programs and data safe while using any computer.

cnet.com is a trustworthy computer news and download site.  We use it all the time to download free anti-virus software and check out the latest news.  CBS, who also owns cbssportsline.com and other online companies now bought the top 10 computer site that gets over 54 million unique visitors per month.

What CBS plans to do differently with CNET remains to be seen.  Cnet was trading at $7.95 and was able to be bought out at $11.50 due to its popularity.   This deal will be closed during the 3rd quarter.  Until then, the two companies will decide how they will play nice and agree on who will stay and who will go. 

We hope the easy navigation and integrity of cnet.com stays the same as it is one of our favorites to visit.